Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

Simmons Bank

Season 13 of The Texas Bucket List Premieres August 31st

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Tune in the weekend of August 31st as host, Shane McAuliffe, searches the state for the best places and things you can see, do, and experience on Season 13 of The Texas Bucket List! The Texas Bucket List has something for every true Texan to enjoy. From food, to music, nature, history and more, you’re sure to find something you can’t wait to add to your own bucket list!

The Texas Bucket List began in 2013, and now has over 150 episodes broadcast on TV stations around the entire state and nationally on RFD-TV. The TV show has garndered an incredible repuatioan with the Houston Chronicle claiming The Texas Bucket List as “One of the most beloved shows in the state.”  The Texas Bucket List has also been recognized for TV excellence with 15 Telly Awards and a Lone Star Emmy Award. See what all the buzz is about– check out The Texas Bucket List August 31st on a station near you.

Follow this link to find where to watch! https://thetexasbucketlist.com/where-to-watch

The Texas Bucket List – Sensational Summer Stops in the Lone Star State

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Now that summer is in full swing, here are four must do Lone Star experiences to check off on The Texas Bucket List. Host Shane McAuliffe visits Seminole Canyon, La Lomita Park, the Houston Cistern, and State Historic Site, Fanthorp Inn.

Click on the images or titles below to watch more about these stupendous summer stops!

Stop #1 – Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site in Comstock, TX

 

Stop #1 – Seminole Canyon is a grand sight to see as it stretches for miles across beautiful Texas terrain, but the scenery is not the only thing worth the stop. Along the caves and caverns of this scenic state park lie some of the earliest signs of life in all our lands. First discovered by Spanish explorers in the late 1500’s, the cave drawings in Seminole Canyon are the oldest known in North America and date back to the same time as the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. Archaeologists are unsure of the meaning behind many of the drawings, but presume that its creators reigned in the region for about 1500 years and some even believe they were influencers of the Aztec, the Mayan, and the Olmec cultures.

Stop #2 – La Lomita Park in McAllen, TX

Stop #2 – Every Sunday, the sounds of South Texas are serenaded in La Lomita Park. This unique dance hall specializes in classic Conjunto music and is ran by local legend and past popular Conjunto star, Pepe Maldonado. Built in 2000, La Lomita Park is a popular place for weddings, Quinceañeras and private parties, but on Sundays, it’s the central spot for the food, family, and fusion of all things South Texas! Born and raised in the Valley, Pepe’s family labored as migrant workers, unknowing of the fame and success the future Conjunto star would later find or of the unique place he would be inspired to build. La Lomita mixes music with Mexican roots blending in everything else that has made South Texas what it is today, creating an experience that is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

Stop #3 – The Houston Cistern in Houston, TX

Stop #3  Beneath the big city bustle of Houston lies an 87,000 square foot piece of forgotten history. In the 2000’s the city’s secret cistern sprung a leak, bringing to light again this sunken site that once held over 15 million gallons of water. The Houston Cistern was built in 1926 to supply the city with water, but now serves as an architectural phenomenon for visitors to tour and explore. Initial plans called for constructing the cistern into a place to park, but after discovering the details of this deep city treasure, they knew that it was destined for much grander things than parking. It was decided to re-purpose the Houston Cistern as an architectural relic for visitors to experience and learn about the history of water in Houston. The cavernous space holds 221 25-foot tall concrete columns, deceptive reflections, and a 17 second echo.

Stop #4 – Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson, TX

Stop #4 – Since its simple log cabin beginnings, Fanthorp Inn has served as a hotel, post office, and voting place and existed in four different countries yet has never moved. This historic site opened its doors to travelers in 1834, unknowing of the history that would later be passed through its very walls, including hosting visitors such as Sam Houston, Zachary Taylor, and Ulysses S. Grant. English immigrant Henry Fanthorp constructed his log cabin home unsuspecting of the hub of information it would become to the surrounding community and future state of Texas. Now it serves yet another purpose as a historic site by sharing the story of this longevous land’s past.

The Texas Bucket List-The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston Earns Title of Bite of the Season

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This season of the Texas Bucket List featured delicious dishes all across the great Lone Star State. From spicy Cajun food to incredible Tex-Mex, you truly cannot go wrong when it comes to eating in Texas. After reflecting on the past season’s yummy stops, it’s time to crown the winner of the Bite of the Season!

Click on the images or titles below to watch more about each of these delicious masterpieces!

Bite #5-Chuck’s Country Smoke House in Carthage

#5: If you’re driving through East Texas and get a whiff of barbecue, you may just be near Chuck’s Country Smoke House. This shack turned restaurant in the woods is serving up some of the best barbecue around. From their Susie Q sandwich to the Frito Bomb, Chuck’s is sure to satisfy any barbecue lover.

Bite #4-White Buffalo Bar in Marathon

#4: If you’re game for some game, the White Buffalo Bar in Marathon is the stop for you! This iconic Texas bar captures the mystique of West Texas and serves up some of the best food and drinks around. If you’re looking for beautiful and tasty stop out west then be sure to check out this legendary location.

Bite #3-Ceviche Ceviche in South Padre Island

Bite #3: With unique toppings and carefully curated ceviche, Ceviche Ceviche is the perfect dish to enjoy on the island. Ceviche Ceviche encourages its guests to step out of their comfort zone and add some sensational toppings to their ceviche including watermelon and cantaloupe. This wonderful restaurant is perfect for anyone searching for the tropical flavors of the island.

Bite #2-Brasserie 1895 in Friendswood

Bite #2: This fine establishment in the suburbs of Houston mixes together some fun flavors from across the pond with some home style favorites. Dishes such as chicken fried steak with a European twist put this place on the map and keep the crowds coming. From those who are curious about adventurous flavors to restaurant goers who are simply looking for an excellent meal, you cannot go wrong with Brasserie 1895.

Bite #1-The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston

Bite #1: With well-seasoned turkey meat that falls off the bone, it is no surprise that The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston reigns supreme as this season’s Bite of the Season. This sensational place stays in high demand with turkey legs stuffed with dirty rice, lemon pepper, shrimp, and many other combinations. For an out of this world turkey leg in one of the most bustling cities in Texas, The Turkey Leg Hut is a stop that can’t be missed.

The Texas Bucket List Receives Eight Telly Awards for TV Excellence

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The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens. 12,000+ entries are received from all over the world, proving award winners to be a distinctive representation of video excellence and some of the most respected creators around the globe. The Texas Bucket List received 8 new Telly Awards to add to our collection – 4 Silver Telly Awards and 4 Bronze Telly Awards, including the People’s Telly.

All entries are judged by members of The Telly Award Judging Council, comprised of over 200 industry experts and prior Telly Award Winners. Judges evaluate entries against a high standard of excellence and winning entries are then awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards based on the combined scores of evaluating judges.

The Texas Bucket List received four Silver Telly Award in the categories of Television: Documentary: Individual twice, as well as in Television: Cultural and Television: Religious/Spiritual. We also received four Bronze Telly awards in the categories of Television: Documentary: Individual twice and in Television: Religious/Spiritual.

The Texas Bucket List – Chocolates After Tragedy is the Silver Telly Winner in Television: Documentary: Individual

The Texas Bucket List – Chocolates After Tragedy is the Bronze Telly Winner in People’s Telly-People’s Telly: Branded Content & Entertainment for Branded Content

The Texas Bucket List – Colorful Commodes is the Silver Telly Winner in Television: Documentary: Individual

The Texas Bucket List – Losing the Art of Leather is the Silver Telly Winner in Television: Cultural

The Texas Bucket List – The Priest with Pups is the Silver Telly Winner in Television: Religious/Spiritual

The Texas Bucket List – Wild Art is the Bronze Telly Winner in Television: Documentary: Individual

The Texas Bucket List – Pennants or Penance is the Bronze Telly Winner in Television: Religious/Spiritual

The Texas Bucket List – The Telephone Man of McGregor is the Bronze Telly Winner in Television: Documentary: Individual

Season 12 of The Texas Bucket List Kicks Off February 9th

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The 2018 Lone Star Emmy Award winning television series The Texas Bucket List is is hitting the road for its 12th season and our one job, to showcase the best eats, interesting folks, and true Texas experiences around the great Lone Star State!

The adventure will begin on February 9th with three new stops including a new segment called Lone Star Legends. This segment will kick off with Texas Music Artist Pat Green at his art gallery in Fort Worth.  

In addition, Season 12 will include a continuation of the Bite of the Week segment which highlights the best unique bites around the state.

These incredible adventures across Texas and being able to tell the stories of the people who make the Lone Star State what it is wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors.  Thank you to Spirit of Texas Bank, Slovacek’s Sausage, CForce Natural Artesian Water, and Experience Bryan/College Station for making The Texas Bucket List possible.

Mark your calendars because you will not want to miss this exciting new season of The Texas Bucket List!

The Texas Bucket List – Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue in Tomball Earns Title of Bite of the Season

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This season featured the first ever Bite of the Week segment and it certainly did not disappoint! From delicious Tex-Mex to savory barbecue, there has been  an incredible assortment of Texan cuisine. Now, after having taken a look back at some our favorite delicious dishes, it’s time to crown the winner the Bite of the Season!

Click on the images or titles below to watch more about each of these delicious masterpieces!

Bite #5 – Barrera’s Fried Chicken in Robstown

#5: This crunchy chicken spot by the sea snags the number five spot of the Bite of Season. Barrera’s Fried Chicken in Robstown is a family run chicken restaurant that has been kept alive by three generations of the Barrera Boys. The seasoning that is served on the fried chicken found in this shack will have you scrambling back for more.

Bite #4 – Jesse’s Taqueria in Bryan

#4: With delicious Tex-Mex and an owner with a heartwarming story, Jesse’s Taqueria in Bryan is well worth a spot on The Texas Bucket List’s Bite of the Season. While you won’t find many veggies, you will find enough meat to make any meat lover’s mouth water. Whether you’re looking for tacos or just a smile, Jesse’s Taqueria is well worth the stop.

Bite #3 – Antonini’s Subs in Webster

#3: Antonini’s Subs in Webster will take your taste buds to another galaxy. This out of this world sub stop, located near the Johnson Space Center, has been grinding out subs for two generations now. From the signature Italian submarine sandwich to cheese steak, you can’t go wrong with one of Antonini’s subs.

Bite #2 – El Paraiso in Zapata

#2: What do you get when you combine an owner from up North, a Tex-Mex restaurant, and chicken fried steak? Great food at El Paraiso in Zapata! The El Paraiso special, which combines cheese, chicken fried steak, enchiladas, and tacos, is a mouthwatering masterpiece that can’t be missed.

Bite #1 – Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue in Tomball

#1: With a combination of savory barbecue and sweet chocolate, it’s no surprise that Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue in Tomball reigns supreme as the Bite of the Season. From over the top seasoning to satisfying your sweet tooth, Tejas is a gem nestled in Old Town Tomball that will have you coming back for sure.

The Texas Bucket List Takes Home a Lone Star Emmy Award

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The Texas Bucket List was recently awarded a 2018 Lone Star Emmy Award for its special on the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  The special was dedicated to those who were affected by one of the state’s most destructive storms and the state’s effort to help them rebuild. Money raised during the special benefited the Rebuild Texas Fund. There were three segments within the episode: The Devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Checking on a Few Friends After the Storm and Shorty’s Place Endures Hurricane Harvey.

The Texas Bucket List is honored to receive such a prestigious award for a special that raised awareness about the devastating affects of Hurricane Harvey and the emotional outpouring of support from our friends and neighbors.  We are also grateful to have had the opportunity to help aid in the relief effort through the Rebuild Texas Fund. There are still Texans needing help and you can still give by clicking this link…..

The first segment in the special provided an inside look at the hardship, struggle, and unity of Port Aransas after it was brutally hit by Hurricane Harvey.  To  view, click on the picture below.

The second segment allowed The Texas Bucket List to return to previous stops and see how the locations and owners fared in the storm. It was a touching tribute to the strength of Texas and showed that while Harvey may have destroyed homes and businesses, it did not destroy the Texan characteristics of spirit and hope. To  view click on the picture below.

The final segment portrayed the incredible contrast of a bar called Shorty’s Place in Port Aransas before and after Harvey. This bar is known for its kind atmosphere and after Harvey, Shorty’s Place was a beacon of hope for the locals. To  view click on picture below.

 

The Texas Bucket List – Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue in Tomball

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Tomball, Texas- Burger of the week is now the Bite of the Week. We will be featuring everything there is to experience in Texas when it comes to food. We start things off here in Tomball, at a place known for barbecue and something sweet. We’re at Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue.

Since 2015, Tejas BBQ has been tossing out their take on Texas BBQ. While that sounds a bit redundant, the food is anything but that.

“It’s barbecue at an elevated level,” Scott Moore said. “It’s craft barbecue.”

5th generation Texan Scott and his brothers Greg and Michelle Holland founded this fine place for food in an old house built in 1907 located in the Old Town part of Tomball. But when the trio got started, BBQ was even on the back burner.

“Yeah we started our business as a chocolate maker,” Scott said. “We turned it into a barbecue joint and a chocolate shop. “

Janie Williams is part of the chocolate crew.  She’s part of the team that meticulously creates this culinary confection from scratch.

“House made chocolate, where we start out with our own cacao so you don’t find that too often,” Janie said.

Usually taking it easy later in life doesn’t require this much work. However, when you see how it’s  prepared and the passion that goes into the meat mastery, it makes sense why it’s so worth it.

“Yeah that’s right I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I’m 54, but this is my retirement,” Scott said. “It’s a lot of attention to detail, doing things by hand, doing it slow, taking your time and being careful about how things are cooked.”

First the briskets are trimmed by Brandon and seasoned by James. To say Brandon puts a little pizazz on his preparation might be putting it lightly.

“He likes to bring in the seasoning from over the top,” Scott said. “I kind of mean over the top.”

There is a method to this madness.

“It’s part of the elements of being in craft barbecue is taking your time, buying premium meats, trimming it to the way you want it, seasoning by hand,” Scott said. “There’s a lot of attention to small details.”

28 briskets a day are placed in a offset smoker using post oak wood to give the beef a mild smoky flavor.  Once a week, on Thursdays to be exact, Tejas makes a pastrami brisket and beef rib. You might want to get in line for that right now because waiting around here is normal.

“Now it’s very rewarding, we can enjoy that people come for the food and you see them coming back,” Scott said. “I like to tell people all the time ‘nothing says I love you like a reorder’ and that’s the ultimate compliment, when somebody gives you money twice for your food. We tell people ‘come early eat well, come late you might not get a plate’ and that’s what they’re there for, they wanna eat.”

Well, we want to eat so Greg put together a smorgasbord of bountiful BBQ known around here as the Hero Plate.

I’m speechless, and that doesn’t happen very often,” Kati Stimpson said. “I mean it really is, and it sounds so cliché. It really melts in your mouth, it really is the good.”

When you don’t even know what your face is doing, your taste buds have taken over.

You can tell when you’re eating this the quality the effort they’re putting into their craft, it’s very apparent,” Tim Stimpson said.

Well, whether you fancy chocolate or barbecue, it’s safe to say Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue in Tomball, Texas is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“So it’s a place you come where there’s foods that are handcrafted,” Scott said. “Great barbecue and great beers, what a time to be alive.”

This Week on The Texas Bucket List – Howard’s in Shiner, Tejas BBQ in Tomball and a Sunset Cruise on South Padre Island

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Welcome back and thank you for joining us as we hit the road for another incredible season of The Texas Bucket List!

Stay tuned because this week we’re visiting stops you won’t soon forget, including from a convenience store that doubles as a neighborhood gathering place, a restaurant that specializes in chocolate and barbecue and a blissful boat excursion down on South Padre Island.

First, we’ll take a look at Howard’s in Shiner, Texas. In an era where digital communication is prevalent and meaningful conversation is rare, Howard’s is a one-stop shop for beer and supplies, as well as a rendezvous location for locals to connect.

Second, we’ll visit a gem nestled in Tomball, Texas. Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue strives to satisfy both your sweet and savory side. With a knack for delicious barbecue and a specialty in mouth-watering chocolates, Tejas is a must on The Texas Bucket List!

Next, we’ll stop by South Padre Island to take a serene sail with Southern Waves Sailing Charters. Enjoy an unbeatable Texas sunset while cruising through waves and munching on a tasty meal. South Padre is a reminder that paradise can be found much closer than we think.

Sit back, relax and get ready to check off the list with us as we begin Season 11 of The Texas Bucket List!

 

The Texas Bucket List – Mom’s Diner Earns Burger of the Season!

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The Spring 2018 season was full of some absolutely delicious eats from all across the Lone Star State, but as the spring comes to a close we are once again faced with difficult decision of naming the best burger. After careful consideration of every place we visited from diners and cafes to the smallest hole-in-the-wall restaurants and the most well known burger joints, we have chosen our top five favorites.

Click on the images or red sub-headlines below to learn more about each of these delicious masterpieces!

Burger #5: Herd’s Burgers in Jacksboro

As one of the oldest burger joints in the state, Herd’s has been serving up a classic burger for  over 92 years. The family owned establishment has a dedicated clientele to vouch for the incredible food, but the real treat is the Double-Double. This massive burger comes with two quarter pound patties cooked to perfection on a grill that is almost as old as the establishment itself. It might seem like a lot but these babies are so fantastic there are customers eating them two at a time!

Burger #4: Flip ‘n Patties

It’s no surprise that the incredibly diverse city of Houston would be home to a unique spin on an American classic. At this Filipino inspired eatery, guests take a bite out of a burger like they have never tasted before. While there are many tasty options, we tried the Jeepney Burger. The combination of Angus beef, tomato, fried egg and longanisa patty (which is similar to pork sausage) will have you wanting to try the entire menu.

 

Burger #3: Ringo’s BBQ and Burgers

Ringo’s will have meat lovers begging for more as they combine two Texas specialties of barbecue and burgers. We tried one of their most popular menu items named the Doc Holiday. This local favorite has a half pound patty, fried egg, bacon, hatch sausage and shredded cheddar tucked between a sourdough bun.

 

Burger #2: Jaspers Cafe in Bluff Dale

For burger lovers with a more adventurous spirit and open mind for new foods, Jaspers Cafe is serving up exotic meats just for them! We tried the Wild Blue Yonder and it did not disappoint! The pile begins  bison and Parmesan then a bun of fried cheese crisp, hash browns, jalapenos and corn are made separately. At the end, everything is combined with lettuce, tomatoes and huckleberry onions to create one incredible burger.

Burger #1: Mom’s Diner in Lufkin 

Perhaps it was a mother’s touch that did the trick and landed Mom’s Diner on the top of our list this season. Since 1986, this family owned business has been serving up incredible food with friendly service. While there is so much to love about Mom’s, the burger that won us over was the Mom’s Monster Burger. The perfectly seasoned meat is topped with onions, mayo, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes for a combination that will have you coming back for sure.